Wave/blowhole electrical power generating plant

ABSTRACT

This electrical power generating system is applicable in any location where wave action in blowholes produces compressed air.  
     This system uses manmade high-efficiency blowholes, excavated in bedrock by application of conventional mining methods, or harbor quality rip-rapped sea walls, with blowholes constructed of welded steel framework or concrete structures built into the sea walls. The compressed air generated in these manmade blowholes is then utilized to drive air-driven motors, water pumps and turbines. These motors, water pumps, and turbines drive electric generators and second-stage air compressors for related applications (instrument air systems, second-stage high pressure motors, air driven water pumps, and generators).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In the late 1960's I took up scuba diving as a hobby. As a result I became aware of the enormous force waves release in the tidal zone as they crash against a cliff face. Throughout the 1970's and 1980's I developed several mechanical concepts that could derive power from waves. In late 1989, I tested some of my models in the surf off San Pedro, Calif. After subjecting myself, and an array of plastic bucket chambers, p.v.c. pipes, float valves, check valves, pressure gauges, and tie down ropes to numerous beatings in the surf, I decided I was ready to go for a patent, which included the following:

[0005] 1) a wave powered generator, 2) hydraulic pumps, and 3) air compression devices.

[0006] In late October 1991 I compiled my sketches and submitted them to Freilich, Hornbaker and Rosen, Patents Attorneys, 10960 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1434, Las Angeles Calif. 90024, telephone number (213) 477-0578. The firm submitted my drawings for a patent search. On Nov. 12, 1991 they sent me a letter that most of my patents submittals were variations of the following patents:

[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 655,541 Becker 675,039 Graff

[0008] 694,242 Bircher 755,728 Weems

[0009] 850,492 Reynolds 875,950 Reynolds

[0010] 918,870 Lawrence 1,005,911 Wilber

[0011] 1,008,683 Wall 1,369,593 Wilkin

[0012] 1,604,632 Carter 1,623,341 Hare

[0013] 1,953,285 Arner 1,962,047 Young

[0014] 3,151,564 Rosenberg 3,353,787 Semo

[0015] 3,487,228 Kriegel 3,685,291 Fadden

[0016] 4,011597 Graff 4,078,871 Perkins

[0017] 4,103,490 Gorlov 4,132,901 Crausbay

[0018] 4,172,689 Thorsheim 4,208,878 Rainey

[0019] 4,222,238 McCulloch 4,324,099 Palomer

[0020] 4,384,456 Boros 4,400,940 Watabe

[0021] 4,469,955 Trepl 4,490,621 Watabe

[0022] 4,580,400 Watabe 4,622,473 Curry

[0023] After I had reviewed copies of the above patents I realized that my concepts were similar in many ways to most of them. After a few years of pondering the problems for some time, I realized that most of these mechanical contraptions are just too fragile to take prolonged batterings by the larger waves encountered in most large bodies of water. I concluded that large waves would be required to produce energy in enough quantity for economical generation of electrical power. As a result, I came to the obvious conclusion that it is futile to put such fragile, complicated, manmade objects in the way of such overwhelming natural force. The real problem with most manmade structures, constructed as freestanding devices in the tidal zone, has always been their inability to withstand the harsh conditions. These structures will be subjected to the most severe forces found in nature. Many of these structures will ultimately face a weather condition called the 50- or 100-year storm. But by far the most devastating of phenomenon has to be the ocean-born tsunami, which is a huge tidal wave capable of devastating most freestanding, manmade objects in its path. This is why most shipwrecks upon being beached for any time are eventually beaten to pieces.

[0024] I came to the conclusion in the late 1990's, that the solution would be to go with what works the best under natural conditions. Naturally occurring outcroppings have withstood these forces for thousands of years, even though the shoreline is slowly being worn away by large storms over the years. From a geological standpoint, the harder and denser natural rock formations endure the best. Therefore, I decided that the best thing would be to construct manmade blowholes in existing bedrock, as a first choice. Secondly, to build these structures out of concrete and steel, housed in the protection of massive harbor breakwater facilities, either new or existing. These blowholes can be constructed in their own harbor facility rip-rap quality structure, and placed on the outer face of existing harbor rip-rap facilities. Steel and reinforced concrete do not stand up as well as good hard bedrock in salt water, because of corrosion problems with the steel plate and reinforcing bars in the concrete (spalling problems).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] My invention provides for economical power generation by the use of highly efficient, manmade blowholes. These blowholes will provide large quantities of compressed air, and will be designed to match existing conditions for individual coastal areas. The design will take into consideration:

[0026] 1) Tidal range (high and low tide).

[0027] 2) Average wave crest (height of the average wave).

[0028] 3) Salt water or fresh water application.

[0029] 4) The number of blowholes which will be required to maintain operational efficiency during periods of less than normal wave activity.

[0030] 5) The size of the blowhole intake, and the slope and length of the compressed air shaft will be based on all the related factors pertaining to the specific area of the installation.

[0031] 6) Excess compressed air generated during peak wave activity will be used to bring additional units on line. Additional excess will be used to fill commercially available high pressure transmission pipelines, and system back up vessels. Further pressure build up can be vented through the emergency bypass shaft.

[0032] At this time we are looking at a rise in fuel prices nationwide, as well as worldwide. The cost of fossil fuel has been an environmental and financial burden on the back of the whole world, and especially the developing nations. The primary reason greed. These dirty, environmentally dangerous forms of fuel have been used for decades now, poisoning the very air we breathe more and more with each decade. In a world with an exploding population, other forms of energy must be developed to help clean up an already fossil fuel damaged planet. My invention will provide large quantities of low cast compressed air to opperate air motors, and air driven water pumps,for economical generation of electrical energy, and would be a major step in the direction of cleaner fuels for the following reasons:

[0033] 1) The exhaust from my power plant is over 99% pure air.

[0034] 2) As more of these units come on line, less and less fossil fuel would be used for power generation.

[0035] 3) The cost of electricity will also be driven down. Wave power is free.

[0036] 4) With lower electrical costs the development of the electric car should become more attractive. This should help make a big dent in our real pollution problem-too many gas driven automobiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037]FIG. 1 is a view of a bedrock cliff face as seen from the sea. The blowhole intakes (100) can be seen in the break-water zone. The air intake shafts (106) can be seen on top of the cliff, along with the power distribution lines. Above the blowhole intake structures in the cliff face are clearly shown the emergency bypass shafts (104), and the knock-out water drain lines (113).

[0038]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a blowhole intake structure (100), cut through the bedrock cliff face. The view shows trapped air and an incoming wave at beginning of the compression cycle. Also shown is the emergency bypass shaft (104), and the knock-out water drain line (113) as they exit through the cliff face.

[0039]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the compression end of the blowhole intake structure (100), where the compressed air is shown at the compression end of the blowhole intake. The water piston forces the compressed air to move up into the valve process piping. The drawing shows the emergency relief valve (103), and the associated emergency bypass shaft (104) which is activated only in an emergency situation. Under normal operating conditions, compressed air passes through the emergency shutdown valve (102), which only closes in an emergency situation in coordination with the opening of the emergency relief valve (103). The compressed air then passes through the open check valve (105), which closses only when the receding water piston creates a vacuum that causes the air intake valve (101) to open. This allows fresh air to recharge the blowhole intake shaft (100), for the beginning of the next compression cycle. After leaving the check valve (105), the compressed air will travel through the compressed air pipe line on its way to the turbine. Also shown is the air intake shaft (106), and the knock-out water drain line (113).

[0040]FIG. 4 shows compressed air from the compressed air line entering the wet air turbine (107), which in turn generates electricity by rotating the electrical generator. Spent air from the tail of the wet air turbine (109) travels into the wet air muffler (110), where spent air is then expelled out of the top of the exhaust (111), and condensate water passes down through the bottom of the wet air muffler (112). which then empties into the knock-out water drain line (113), and will then empty out at the cliff face.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] This invention is based on the naturally occurring phenomenon of blowholes, as they occur naturally in the breakwater along the shorelines of large bodies of water, often opening up as a result of cavitation taking place in a fault or defect in a bedrock outcropping. Eventually the action of air and water working in the fault will open up an air cavity within the pocket. This pocket eventually will, over time, break through to the surface, and when this occurs, a blowhole forms. When a large incoming wave crashes into the cliff face, water slams into the cavity, compressing trapped air in the top of the blowhole. The compressed air and water shoots out of the hole with great force, atomizing most of the water into a cloud of spray.

[0042]FIG. 1 This invention calls for the engineered construction of highly effective blowholes (100). These manmade blowholes would be designed to suit the normal conditions of the area in which they are to be installed, taking into consideration the range between low tide and high tide, the average height of the average waves in the area, and other local factors. Additional blowholes will often be needed in areas where tidal variations are more extreme. Therefore blowholes may be required at low tide, intermediate tidal zone, and at high tide (100). In this way when the low tide blowhole is flooded out, the intermediate tidal blowhole would come up, thus assuring that pressure would be available throughout the total tidal cycle.

[0043]FIG. 2 A wave enters the blowhole (100), forming a water piston which traps and compresses the air as it moves into the depths of the tapering inner walls of the blowhole intake (100).

[0044] FIG 3 The air is prevented from moving up and out of the air intake shaft (106) by the one-way air intake valve (101). At this stage the compressed air and blow-over water have one of two directions it can go:

[0045] 1). In an emergency shut-down situation, the emergency shut down valve (102) closes and the emergency relief valve (103) will open, allowing the compressed air and blow-over water to exit through the emergency bypass shaft (104).

[0046] 2). Under normal operating conditions, the compressed air and blow-over water move up the blowhole shaft into the process piping. The emergency relief valve (103), and the air-intake valve (101) are closed. The compressed air and blow-over water then moves through the open emergency shut down valve (102), past the check valve (105), and into the wet air turbine (107) FIG. 4.

[0047] 3). When a wave subsides in the blowhole shaft (100), it creates a vacuum. This vacuum opens the air intake valve (101) in the air intake shaft (106), which allows fresh air to quickly fill the blowhole intake structure (100), which then accommodates the next incoming wave.

[0048]FIG. 4 When the compressed wet air and blow-over water from the blowhole enters the wet air turbine (107), the blades in the turbine are set in motion by the force of the wet air as it moves through the turbine. In turn, this causes the shaft of the generator (108) to rotate, generating electrical power for commercial distribution over transmission lines. As the spent air exits the tail end of the turbine, (109) it moves up into the wet-air turbine muffler (110). The turbine noise, and water are knocked out by baffles in the muffler (110). The air moves up through the baffles and exits out of the top of the muffler (111) as exhaust. The water condenses out onto the baffles and falls down through the baffles to the water drain at the bottom of the wet air muffler (112). The water free falls through the drain, and flows down through the knock-out water drain line (113). This drain line then expels the water out through the cliff above the blowhole opening in the cliff face (113).

[0049] The compressed air can be used to power conventional wet or dry air motors, air driven water pumps,and air turbines. Installation of these manmade blowholes in the tidal zone of large bodies of water should be accomplished by using underground mining methods in high density rock formations. However, in areas where durable rock formations are not available, rip-rap, large grouted stone, reinforced concrete, and structural steel could be used as a less durable second choice. 

I claim
 1. A device constructed in bedrock using conventional mining methods, which is the most durable method for construction of high efficiency, man made blow holes for generating compressed air for operating air-driven motors, turbines, and air driven water pumps, by utilizing manmade blowholes situated in the breakwater between high and low tidal zones, designed to match existing wave characteristics for the area of application, such that wave action entering said blowhole creates a rapidly moving water piston which compresses the trapped air as it moves up into the converging confines of said manmade blowhole shaft, compressed air is allowed to vent through an emergency relief valve during emergency shutdown situations or storms, which will allow the compressed air to vent out through the cliff face when said emergencies occur, under normal operations said compressed air will travel through an emergency shutdown valve, which will only close during said emergency shutdown situations or storms, under said normal operation, said compressed air will then pass through a one-way check valve which will prevent the compressed air from being drawn back into the said blowhole shaft when the said wave subsides, the said subsiding wave forces the air intake valve to open due to the vacuum created by the receding wave in the said blowhole, fresh air is allowed to rush through the air intake valve filling the said blowhole shaft with outside air, this said air is then ready for the next incoming wave piston to compress, said compressed air which passes through said check valve enters the compressed air header pipe this said compressed air can then be used to run air-driven turbines, air motors, air-driven water pumps, excess compressed air can be collected in air dehydration vessels and back up compressed air storage vessels for other applications and shipment through compressed air trunk lines, for use in power generation, or other uses inland.
 2. The said device according to claim 1, wherein said manmade blowhole can be constructed of concrete when there is an absence of geologically sound bedrock formations, or for other reasons, which is a less durable second choice over said bedrock, the said concrete and rebar blowholes will be constructed in the protection of massive harbor breakwater-type rip-rap facilities, either new or existing, for generating compressed air for operating air-driven motors, turbines, and air driven watet pumps, by utilizing manmade blowholes situated in the breakwater between high and low tidal zones, designed to match existing wave characteristics for the area of application, such that wave action entering said blowhole creates a rapidly moving water piston which compresses the trapped air as it moves up into the converging confines of said manmade blowhole shaft, compressed air is allowed to vent through an emergency relief valve during emergency shutdown situations or storms, which will allow the compressed air to vent out through the cliff face when said emergencies occur, under normal operations said compressed air will travel through an emergency shutdown valve, which will only close during said emergency shutdown situations or storms, under said normal operation, said compressed air will then pass through a one-way check valve which will prevent the compressed air from being drawn back into the said blowhole shaft when the said wave subsides, the said subsiding wave forces the air intake valve to open due to the vacuum created by the receding wave in the said blowhole, fresh air is allowed to rush through the air intake valve filling the said blowhole shaft with outside air, this said air is then ready for the next incoming wave piston to compress, said compressed air which passes through said check valve enters the compressed air header pipe this said compressed air can then be used to run air-driven turbines, air motors, air-driven water pumps, excess compressed air can be collected in air dehydration vessels and back up compressed air storage vessels for other applications and shipment through compressed air trunk lines, for use in power generationor or other uses further inland.
 3. The said device according to claim 1, wherein said manmade blowhole is constructed of steel framework, when there may be an absence of of geologically sound bedrock formations, or for other reasons, which is a less durable third choice over said bedrock, the said steel framework which is then anchored in place by harbor-quality rip-rap, over-burden, coral blocks, sand, or soil cement, for generating compressed air for operating air-driven motors, turbines, and air driven water pumps, utilizing manmade blowholes situated in the breakwater between high and low tidal zones, designed to match existing wave characteristics for the area of application, such that wave action entering said blowhole creates a rapidly moving water piston which compresses the trapped air as it moves up into the converging confines of said manmade blowhole shaft, compressed air is allowed to vent through an emergency relief valve during emergency shutdown situations or storms, which will allow the compressed air to vent out through the cliff face when said emergencies occur, under normal operations said compressed air will travel through an emergency shutdown valve, which will only close during said emergency shutdown situations or storms, under said normal operation, said compressed air will then pass through a one-way check valve which will prevent the compressed air from being drawn back into the said blowhole shaft when the said wave subsides, the said subsiding wave forces the air intake valve to open due to the vacuum created by the receding wave in the said blowhole, fresh air is allowed to rush through the air intake valve filling the said blowhole shaft with outside air, this said air is then ready for the next incoming wave piston to compress, said compressed air which passes through said check valve enters the compressed air header pipe this said compressed air can then be used to run air-driven turbines, air motors, air-driven water pumps, excess compressed air can be collected in air dehydration vessels and back up compressed air storage vessels for other applications and shipment through compressed air trunk lines, for use in power generation or other uses further inland.. 